The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-03

Themselves, and Who Would
Not Heed Her CounseIs.
One evening when Mr.. Smith came
home from work he found his wife
sitting alone in their coy parlor
that always presented the same neat
and tasteful appearance; some work
had fallen idly in her lap while her
chin rested on her hand and she had
become so absorbed in thought that
she heard not the opening of the door
when he entered.
''And what has put my Brownie in
to such a brown study that she has
neither eyes nor ears for things of time
and sense?" inquired Mr.. Smith, after
standing in the doorway for about two
minutes watching his wife.
80, Ned" exclaimed Mrs. Smith,
starting up from her reverie. Il never
could be a missionary, never"
well, I am glad to hear you say
So" said Mr.. Ned Smith, seating
himself beside his wife while broad
smile shone over his countenance:
Il would be sorry to have you
leave me here alone, ] assure you.
and have no intention, myself, of 60
ing to some distant cline 10 work
among the heathen."
Ned, you may laugh atrme if you
will; you know 1 didn't think of heath
en- in foreign lands at all; but 1 do feel
sorry for the people about us who are
daily killing themselves.
'Dear mer' calculated Mr.. Smith,
"'who is committing suicide nOw?"
"Our neighbor Mrs. wilkins, and
many others beside" soberly respond
ed Mrs. Smith.
Now you speak in riddles" said her
husband. Il do not fathom the depth
of your meaning"
at is only this, Ned; am saddened
at the thought of people working and
worrying over trifies.
why, Brownie, do you not think
trifies make perfection? and perfec-
ton is no trife."
Ned, wish you would be serious
for once and listen to what 1 say
Mr. Smith drew on a long face and
said: NOW l am all serious attention
with mind wholly yours"
"A man should have mind of his
own" was the saucy retort.
The mischievous expression came
again to Mr.. Smiths eyes as he replied:
"My mind is yours and you are mine;
therefore my mind is my own. Now,
Brownie, l am going TO be sober as
judge and listen most obediently while
you relate the cause of your sudden at
tack of profound meditation.
well, this afternoon began Mrs.
Smith, Il was out calling on cur
neighbors, and went, first, across the
street to Mrs. Wilkins, and found that
parsonage lying down completely ex-
hausted from overwork. She does all
her own work, and with their large
family that is no light task at the best
She is by nature a strong woman, en-
ergetic and industrious, priding herself
on how much work she can do in a
day. That, you know, is different
from me, for l try to accomplish a
good deal by doing just as little rs
can"
Il understand just what n sinsibly
lazy wife have" said Mr.. Smith, with
his face long drawn.
Brownie continued, Il had conceit
enough to think myself able to instruct
her in the way of doing. and to con-
vince her of the truth that whoever
might be better employed is idle Yes
terday she put large washing out on
the line, and when went over to-day
she had just finished ironing a great
pile of clothes, and was lying down
from sheer exhaustion"
'.And what was extraordinary in
that?" asked Mr.. Smith. al have seen
my Brownies white hands moving
swiftly over the ironing-board.
But my hands are not all hard and
and roughened by drudgery. think
my hands and head are the more easily
kept clean by wearing gloves and cap
when doing sweeping and such kinds
of work"
''And perhaps Mrs. Wilkins isn't so
fortunate in having kind. considerate
husband like Mrs. Brownie Smith"
''Of course not" was the emphatic
land neither has Mr.. wilkins
a wife so awfully wise as Ned Smith
has. Icsteem ourselves highly enough
TO be very self-satisfied, but that isn't
doing good to any one else"
''Oh, you want to be out performing
some great public work, ambitious to
be home missionary or something of
the kind. am becoming enlightened
now" and the smile spread itself over
his face again.
~ had no thought of missioning at
home or anywhere else" replied
Brownie, with some spirit; 'but my
afternoons experience made me think
what difficult work missionaries had
to do, and never could have faith and
patience to work reform among pee
pies preiudieeS 1t does seem to me